Mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher



Nov. 27, 1928. 1,692,888

D. G. DAvlEs ET AL MECHANICAL SHEET AND TIN PLATE CATCHER Filed July 28, 1927 l 4 sheets-sheet 1 Q5 w Q Q Us n w 'N e N D/fa o N ub Q K Q Lg QN Nm@ i v O Q S o zo R n* an o t@ Q n s @E n 1* NN bgg-Q N *s N* 8 N N N N Q D @n Q L *m kb C@ :235mm w s; @MP o :AL

O Se L Nov. 27, 1928.

D. G. DAWES E: A1.

MECHANICAL SHEET AND TIN PLATE CATCHER 4 sheets-sheet 2 Nov. 27 1928. 1 692 8 8 D. G. DAvlEs ET AL 8 MECHANICAL SHEET AND TIN PLATE CATCHER Filed July 28, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 27, 1928. 1,692,888

D. G. DAVIES v ET AL MECHANICAL SHEET AND TIN PLATE CATCHER Filed July 28, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q plate.

patented Nov. 27, 1928. nl

UNITED STATES iii'rlslai-Y orifice.

r DAVID c. Davies AND rami T. nuimnni., or noaeni'rown, weer mamie.

irncHANficAL emr AND TIN rmmn .carcan-n. i A y applicatie mea July as, i927. semi in 208,977.

This invention is a mechanical .plate catcher primarily designed for use in the hot mill departments of sheet and tin mills, but not limited to such use.

In mills of thetype referred to, at least two workmen are ordinaril required to receive the plates as they are elivered by the rolls, n,

and to elevate and return them to position Ifor the next rolling operation. One of the objects of the invention is to reduce the number of operatives as well as the amount of expense and labor required for this operation, by providing a mechanical device constructed to automatically perform the necessary functions of catching and returning the mechanism of the character mentioned which is constructed with a sheet receiving co'n-4 veyor, a sheet returning conveyor, and means by which the sheet is lifted from the receiving conveyor and later engaged by the returning oonveyorwithout manual handling. A further object is to provide means for supporting said conveyors, and means by which said conveyors may be raised and lowered in time with the sheet exchanging functions thereof. A further object is to so arrange the conveyor raising and lowering mechanism` and the conveyor driving mechanism, that the operation of said conveyor is in no way affected by the change of elevation thereof. A further object is to provide means for automatically returning the parts to their normal positions at the end of each operation. A further object is to provide a simple form of stop for arresting movement of the sheet upon the receiving conveyor, and means for rendering said stop temporarily inactive when it is desired to deliver the received sheet to a pile. A further object is to provide means for supporting the conveyo'rcarrying frame in such a man/ner that it may be swungsinto a vertical position when not in use or when occasion may require, thereby providing space for the workmen to conveniently pass around the machine.

Ilhe invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

ln the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating a plate catching mechanism constructed in accrodance with the invention. Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof. Figure 3 is an end View, parts being shown in dotted lines to illustrate the functions of raising and lower- A further object is tov provider alng the table. Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional vrew illustrating the power mechanism. Figure 5 is a detail lsectionai view illustratlng the power shaft and its controls. Figure 6 1s a detail cross section illustrating the telescoping elements of the drivin '.shaft.

Figure 7 is a d etail sectional view i ustratngla modification of the lock device for the Referring to the drawings, 10 ldesignates a\ underside of the base 10 are bearings 14, in

which is rotatably mounted a power shaft 15, driven from a suitable source of power (not shown). Secured to said shaft is a drive gear 16 and loosely mounted thereon is a sprocket wheel 17. The sprocket wheel may 4be engaged with the shaft 15 by means of a clutch 18, operated by a pivotally supported arm 19. Said arm 19 is provided with an extended portion to `serve as an armature for an electromagnet 20 'connected with a suitable source of current. Said magnet may be energized by the operator throughl the medium of a push-button or other similar device 21.

Extending upwardly from the base 10 is a guide member 25, in which is slidably mounted the anges 26 of a movable rack member 27 provided with a cross head 28 at its top. Mounted in suitable bearings carried by the guide member is a counter shaft 29, carrying a sprocket wheel 30, which is connected with the sprocket Wheel'17 by means of a sprocket chain 31. Secured to said counter shaft is a pinion 32 meshing with the teeth of the rack member 27.

Mounted in suitable bearings 33, 34, secured to the base 10 is the tubular section 35 of a drive shaftS. The lower end of said section 35 carries a pinion 36 meshing with the drive pinion 16 carried by the power shaft. The bore of said tubular shaft is angular in cross section, and slidably mounted therein is a complemental shaft section 37, the up er end of which is rotatably mountedv in a caring 38, carried by an arm 39 secured to the rack member 27. In order that the sections 35 and 37 may be held in alignment during relative longitudinal movement, bearing rollers 40 are mounted onA the section 35, and extend 1, sprocket wheels 73.

- through slots thereof so as to engage the section 3 Secured to the bearing arm 39is a cross piece 45, provided with openings to guide vertically disposed operating rods R and R', the lower ends of which are pivotally connected to bell crank levers 46, bell crank lever carrying a roller 47. Said rollers are positioned to respectively engage cam tracks 48,48a vertically disposed `along the guide member 25, on either side of the rack 27. While the rack is being raised or lowered in a manner to be later described, the rollers 47 engage the respective cam tracks and impart longitudinal movement to the rods R and R. It will be noted that the high portions of the cam tracks are staggered with respect to each other. Secured to the cross piece 45 is one member of a clutch operating device 49, which is made of two relatively l movable parts, the other member being connectedV to one arm of a bell crank lever 50. The other arm of said bell crank lever is connected to the clutch arm 19, by a link 51. The

, members of the clutch operating device are provided with complemental stops 52 which limit their relative extensible movement, so that when the stops are engaged further movement tending to extend said clutch operating device will rock said lever 50 and thereby effect an operation of the clutch.

Secured to the cross-head 28 are bearing `arms 55, in which are rotatably mounted a counter shaft 56. Said counter shaft is provided with a bevel gear 57, meshing with a complemental ear 58, carried by the shaft section 37. ivotally mounted on said counter shaft by means of arms 59 is conveyor frame 60, p1'eferably of skeleton construction, the side bars thereof being provided with suitable bearings in which are respectively mounted two driveshafts 61 and 62, and two idler shafts 63 and 64, respectively, the last mentioned shaft being rigidly supported. The shafts 61 and 63 are provided with sprocket wheels 65 and 66, respectively, which are connected by drive chains 67 ,idlers 68 rotatably mounted on the shaft 64 serving to prevent sagging of said chains intermediatel between their ends. l

Pivotally mounted on the shaft 62 is a `bell crank frame F, the horizontal arms of which form bearings for a counter shaft 70, provided with sprocket wheels 71. Similar frames F and F2 are mounted on the shafts 63 and 64, and provided with idler shafts 72, carrying rIhe sprocket wheels 71 and 73 are connected by means of sprocket chains 74, and the depending arms of the respective bell crank frames are connected by links 75, so that all of said frames may be rocked simultaneously. The shaft 61 is driven by means of a sprocket chain 76, connecting a sprocket wheel 77 of said shaft with a complemental sprocket ywheel 78 on the 46, respectively, each Leeasas counter shaft 57. Secured to said shaft 61 is l a bevel gear 79, which meshes with a similar bevel gear 80 upon a counter shaft 81, and said counter shaft is arranged to drive 'the shaft 62 by means of bevel gears 82.

The bell crank frames F, F and F2 are normally mounted sov that their chains 74 lie in a lower chains 67. Said frame F is provided with a cross bar 83 positioned to be engaged by the toe of a lever 84, which is pivotally supported by frame jection which extends into the path o'f move- 'ment of the operating rod R. As lsaid r'od travels upwardly with the rack the cam track 48 will cause it to move longitudinally into engagement with said lever 84, and actuate said lever so as to rock the frame F. Through the connecting links 75, all of the frames will be rocked simultaneously so as to raise the chains 74 above the planes of the chains 67 Pivotally mounted on the shafts 62 and 63 'I are bell crank levers 85, the vertical arms of which areconnected by links 86'. The other arms of said levers pivotally support sheetraising members 87, which are disposed between the chains 67 and 74. One of said levers yis connected by an operating rod with an actuator lever 88, pivotally supported bythe frame 60, said actuator Alever having a portion positioned to be engaged by the rod R', when the latter is proJected by means of its lever 45a engagin the cam track 48a. The plateraising mem ers are normally maintained in a depressed position by suitable means, such as a spring 89. v y

For the purpose of interrupting travel of the sheet on the receiving chains 67 a yokelike stop 90 is provided, the same being depressibly mounted in bearings 91 carried by the frame 60, and normally held in elevatedposition in the path of movement of sheet by means of a spring 92. It will be noted that the openings in the bearings 91 are large enough to permit of considerable rotative play of the stop member. The lower end of said stop member is provided with an armature piece capable of being attracted by a magnet 93 controlled from the push button 21.

The frame 60 is retained its operative position by means of a lever 94 positioned to engage a stud 95 secured to the cross-head 28, pivotal movement being permitted by means of the lugs 96 engaging with suitable slots in said cross head. r, a nut 97 may be substituted for the lever 94 as shown in Figure 7. If desired suit-able takeeup devices 98 may be employed to adjust'the chains, and a horizontal plane than that of the ,I

60, said lever having an arm or pro- 63 being nearest to said rolls, so thatas the sheet is delivered it will be deposited upon the chains 67, which normally stand higher than the other chains. Said chains 67 move the sheet forwardly until the end of the sheet strikes the stop 90. Said stop by reason of its loose mounting is moved by the sheet a sufficientv distance to close the circuit through contacts 90a and cable 20, to the magnet 20. The magnet, when energizedv operates lever 19 to effect clutching of the sprocket Wheel 17 with the drive shaft, and the frame 60 thereupon starts to rise, being lifted by pin` ion 32 engaging with rack 27. During this upward travel the roller of the rod R will engage its cam track 48a and project said rod upwardly, so as to operate the sheet raising member 87 to lift the Asheet off of the chains 67, as shown in the intermediate dotted line position illustrated in Figure 3. Just as soon as the sheet has been lifted from the chains 67 the roller of the rod R will engage with its cam track 48, and project said rod upwardly so as t-o rock all of the frames F, Ii" and F2, thereby raising the chains 74 above the plane of members 87 so as to lift the plate from the said members, and convey it back to the rollers, in al position and at an elevation which will permit return of the sheet to the rollers for another operation. See topmost dotted line position, Figure 3. As the sheet is delivered by the chains 74 the clutch operating device 49 has reached the limit of its extension, so that the clutch arm 19 is operated to disconnect the sprocket wheel 17 from the power, whereupon the frame 60 will return of its own weight to its normal lowered position, a suitable dash pot P being provided to break the shock of the descent thereof.

After the sheet has been subjected to the final rolling operation, the operator presses the push button 21, the effect of which is to depress the stop 90, so that the sheet will be delivered to a suitable table or other receiving device, over the frame 99.

The advantages of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it belongs. It will be particularly noted that the sheet is handled automatically during the period it is received from the rolls and returned for further fabrication, and that the mechanism is so arranged that all of the moving parts operate in timed sequence. It will also be observed that the machine is simple in construction and that the parts are so arranged that they will not readily get out of order or become deranged. A further advantage is that if the machine is temporarily out of use for any cause, or if for any reason the machine is not needed, the frame 60 may be tilted to a vertical position so as to take up much less room than is required during its operation, Another important advantage is that the number of operatives necessary to erform the sheet handling operations is re uced.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention and describe-d an operative manner of constructing and using the same, althou h without attempting to set forth all of t e forms in which it may be made, or all of the forms of its use, what'is claimed is 1. In a mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher, a conveyor frame, a receiving-conveyor mounted in said frame, a returning-conveyor also mounted in said frame, said conveyorstravelling in opposite directions, and means for temporarily elevating the returnin -conveyor above the plane of operation of t e receiving-conveygr.

2. In a mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher, a conveyor frame, a receiving-conveyor mounted' in said frame, a returning-conveyor also mounted in said frame, said conveyors travelling in opposite directions, a device for lifting the sheet from said receiving-conveyor, and means for periodically elevating the returning-conveyor to lift the sheet from said lifting device so as to convey it in a reverse direction.

3. In a mechanical sheet and tin plate catoli- 'er, a conveyor frame, a receiving-conveyor consisting of spaced apart conveyor members supported by said frame, a returning-conveyor also consisting of spaced apart conveyor members supported by said frame, and means for periodically lifting the returning-conveyor members above the plane of the receiving-conveyor members.

4. In a mechanical sheet and tin plate catchf er, a conveyor frame, a receiving-conveyor consisting of spaced apart conveyor members supported by said frame, a returning-conveyor also consisting of spaced apart conveyor members supported by said frame, sheet lifting devices located between the receivingconveyor membef's and the returning-conveyor members, and means for raising and lowering said sheet lifting members and said returning-conveyor in timed sequence.

5. In a mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher, a conveyor frame, a receiving-conveyor consisting of spaced apart conveyor-members supported by said frame, bell crank frames pivotally mounted betweenk said conveyor members, a returning-conveyor supported by said bell crank frames, and means for rocking said bell crank frames to raise and lower said returning-conveyor. f'

6. In a mechanical she-et an-d tin plate catch- .f

er, a conveyor frame, a receiving-conveyorconslstlng of spaced apart conveyor-members supported by said frame, bell crank framesto raise and lower said returning-conveyor.

' consisting of lao' 7 In a mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher, a conve; r frame, a receiving-conveyor spaced apart conveyor-members supported by said frame, bell crank frames pivotally mounted between-said conveyor members, a'returning-conveyor supported by said bell crank frames, sheet lifting devices disposed parallel with-said conve ors, means for actuating said sheet-lifting evices, and means operatedin timed relation to the operation of the lifting devices for rocking said bell crank frames so as to raise and lower said returning-conveyor. 1

8. In a mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher, a conveyor frame, a receiving-conveyor consisting. of spaced apart conveyor members supported by'said frame, bell crank frames pivotally mounted between said conveyor members, a returning-conveyor supported by said bell crank frames, means for rocking the bell crank .frames in unison to raise and lower said returning-conveyor, and means carried by one of said bell crank frames for driving the returning-conveyor.

9. In a mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher, a conveyor frame, a receiving-conveyor mounted in said frame, a returning-conveyor also mounted in said frame, said conveyors travelling in opposite directions, means for raising and lowering said frame, and means for raising and lowering the returningconveyor with respect to the said frame and during the up and down movement thereof.

10. In a mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher, av conveyor frame, a receiving-conveyor mounted in said frame, a returningconveyor also mounted in said frame, said conveyors travellingl in opposite directions, means for raising and lowering said conveyor frame, a sheet lifting device, and means for raising and lowering said sheet lifting device and sa1d returning conveyor in timed sequence during the up and down movement of said frame.

11. In a mechanical sheet and tin plate,

catcher, a conveyor frame, a receiving conveyor consisting of spaced apart conveyor members supported by said frame, bell crank frames pivotally mounted between said conveyor members, a returning conveyor supported by said bell crank frames, means for raising and lowering said conveyor frame, and means for' effecting the rocking of said bell crank frames during the up and down movement of said frame.

12. In a mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher, 'a conveyor frame, a receiving-conveyor consisting of spaced apart conveyormembers supported by said frame, bell crank frames pivotally mounted between said conveyor members, \a returning-conveyor suported by said bell crank frames, sheet lifting devices disposed parallel with said conveyors, means for vactuating said sheet lift-ing devices, means operated in timed relation to the operation of the lifting devices for rocking said bell crank frames so as to raise and lower said returning-conveyor, means for raising and lowerino' said conveyor frames, and 70 means for effecting the aforesaid operations of the lifting devices and the bell crank frames during the up and down movement of said conveyor frame.

13. A mechanical vertically movable in said base, a receivingl conveyor mounted 1n sa1d frame, a returning conveyor also mounted 1n sa1d frame, an operating rod'mounted to'move with said frame, 90 \cam means for impa ting longitudinal movement to Isaid rod, an 'means operated by said rod for ra1s1ng sa1d returning conveyor above the plane of said receivmg conveyor.

14:.` A mechanical sheet and tin plate 35 erating rod mounted to move with said frame, I a cam track supported by said base in a position parallel with the line of movement of said 'l frame7 a bell crank lever pivoted to said frame and having one arm connected with said rod and the other having means to engage said cam track, and means operated by said rod v for elevating said returning conveyor above the-plane of the receiving conveyor.

15. A4 mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher comprising a base', a conveyor frame 10 vertically movable in said base, a receiving conveyor mounted in said frame, a returning conveyor also mounted in said frame, an operating rod mounted to move with said frame,

means for imparting longitudinal movement 10b to said rod, a sheet lifter operated by said rod, and means operated in time with the movement of said rod to raise said returning conveyor above the plane of said sheet lifter.

16. A mechanical sheet and tin plate H0 catcher comprising a base, a conveyor framev vertically vmovable in said base, a receiving conveyor mounted in said frame, a returning conveyor also mounted in said frame, an operating rod mounted to move with said frame,

a cam track supported by Said base in a position parallel with the line of travel of said frame, a bell crank lever pivoted to said frame and having one end connected with said lrod and the other end having means to engage 12@ said cam track, a sheet lifter operated by said rod and -means operated in time with the movement of said rod to raise said returning conveyor above the plane of said sheet lifter.

17. A mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher comprising a base, a conveyor frame vertically movable in said base, a receiving conveyor mounted in said frame, a returning conveyor also mounted in said-frame, ai pair of operating rods mounted to move with said la@ sheet and tin 'plate 75 catcher comprising a base, a conveyor frame frame, cam means for imparting longitudinal movement to the respective rods at different times, a sheet lifter operated by one of said rods, and means operated by the other rod for raising the returning conveyor above the plane of said sheet lifter. v

18. A mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher comprising a base provided with a guide, a conveyor frame havinga portion engaging said guide, means for raising and lowering said frame, a receiving conveyor mounted in said frame, a returning conve or also mounted in said frame, and means or raising and lowering the receiving conveyor during the up and down movements of said frame.

19. A mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher comprising a base provided with a guide, a conveyor frame having a portion engaging said guide and provided with a toothed rack, a pinion engaging said rack, means for rotating said pinion so as to elevatesaid frame, receiving and returning conveyors mounted in said frame, and means for changing the planes of said conveyors relatively to eachother during travel of said frame.

20. A mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher comprising a base, a vertically movable conveyor frame supported by said base, a drive shaft, means actuated by said drive shaft for raising said frame, receiving and returning conveyors mounted in said frame,

and means for changing the planes of said conveyors relatively to each other during travel of said frame.

21. A mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher comprising a base, a vertically movable conveyor frame supported by said base, and provided with a toothed rack, a drive shaft, a countershaft operated by said drive shaft and provided with a pinion to engage said rack so as to elevate said frame, receiving and returning conveyors mounted in said frame, and means for changing the planes of said conveyors relatively to each other during travel of said frame.

22. A 'mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher comprising a'base provided with a guide, a conveyor frame having a portion engaging said guide and provided with a toothed rack, 'a pinion engaging said rack,

means for rotating said pinion so as to ele- ",vate said frame, receiving and returning conveyors mounted in said frame, means for changing'the planes of said conveyors relatively to eachother during travel of said frame, and means for disengaging said pinion from its rotation producing means when the frame reaches a predetermined elevation.

23. A mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher comprising a base, a vertically movable conveyor frame supported by said base, a drive shaft, means actuated by said drive shaft for raising said frame, receiving and returning conveyors mounted in said frame, means for changing the planes of said conveyors relatively to each other during travel of said frame, a clutch controlling transmission of power from said drive shaft to the frame raising means, and means for declutching said frame raising means from said shaft when the frame reaches a predetermined elevation.

24. A mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher comprising a base, a vertically movable conveyor frame supported by said base, a drive shaft, means actuatedr by said drive shaft for raising said frame, means for changing the planes of said -conveyors relatively to each other during travel of said frame, a clutch controlling transmission of power from said drive shaft to the frame raising means, a clutch operating device consisting of two relatively movable arms one of which isv connected with the frame and the other with the clutch, said arms having comple-- mental means for limiting their relative movement in one direction.

25. A mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher comprising a base, a vertically movable conveyor frame supported by said base, means for raising said frame, a power shaft mounted in said base, a drive' shaft formed of telescoping sections one of which is connected to the base and the other to said frame, receiving and returning conveyors mounted in said frame, and means operated by said drive shaft for actuating said conveyors.

26. A mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher comprising a base, a vertically movable conveyor frame supported by said base, means for raisingsaid frame, a power shaft mounted in said base, a drive shaft formed of telescoping sections one of which is connected to the base and the otherto said frame, /receiving and returning conveyors mounted in said frame, means operated by said drive shaft for actuating said conveyors, and means rendered operative by the raising of said frame for changing the relative planes ofsaid conveyors during travel of said frame. 27. A mechanical sheet and tin plate catcher comprising a base, a vertically movable conveyor frame supported by said base, means for raising said frame, a power shaft mounted in said base, a drive shaft formed of telescoping sections one of which is con-X conveyor also mounted in said frame, said conveyors travelling 1n opposite directions, means for temporarllyelevatlng the returnl ing. conveyor above the plane of operation of catcher comprising a base, a'carrier member vertically movable in said base, a conveyor l0 framel pivotally mounted on said carrier member, and means for normally holding said frame against pivotal movement.-

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set i our hands.

" DAVID LGr. DAVIES. FRED T. RUNDELL. 

